Effects of changes in pelvic and spinal alignment on thorax mobility and pulmonary function

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects that thoracic spinal curvature, lumbar spinal curvature, and the angle of posterior pelvic tilt have on thorax mobility and pulmonary function [Subjects] Fourteen healthy adult males. [Methods] We measured the thorax mobility and pulmonary function at different pelvic and spinal alignments in the sitting position. The pelvis was positioned at 0, 10, 30 and 50 degrees posterior tilt, and the changes in spinal alignment elicited by the changes in pelvic position were measured. The relationships between thorax mobility, pulmonary function and thoracic spinal curvature, lumbar spinal curvature, and the angle of posterior pelvic tilt were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. [Results] Thorax mobility and pulmonary function were the most affected by changes in posterior pelvic tilt, followed by lumbar spinal curvature and thoracic spinal curvature. [Conclusion] These results suggest that improvement of the angle of posterior pelvic tilt would potentially improve thorax mobility and pulmonary function.